St. Andrew’s Church and the red-brick houses in Tanna lead to two different chapters in the town’s history: its architectural history and its former embroidery industry. The Leitenteiche recreation area and circular hiking trail add a distinct focus on the outdoors. If you’re looking for accommodation in Tanna, you can first consider whether you’re more interested in cultural history, time by the water or hiking.
Church and Embroidery: Tanna’s Local History
St. Andrew’s Church stands on a small hill. It burned down in 1640 and was subsequently rebuilt; the main entrance with a cross set in a stone surround and the rib-vaulted ceiling at the rear have survived from the previous building. Its history can thus be read in two periods: the rebuilding after the fire and the surviving parts of the earlier church.
Numerous red-brick houses in Tanna bear witness to their former use as embroidery workshops. In the 19th century, embroidery became the town’s most important industry. Embroidered goods such as Plauen lace were made in Tanna along the embroidery trail of the same name until 2010. The industry’s rise in the 19th century and production continuing until 2010 mark different periods in Tanna’s textile history.
Leitenteiche and Hiking Trails
The Leitenteiche recreation area lies south of central Tanna. In summer, a newly built access point invites visitors to swim; during the rest of the year, the idyllic tranquillity offers a chance to unwind. Swimming conditions and facilities may change, so it’s worth checking the latest information before your visit.
The Tanna circular hiking trail is well maintained and signposted. If you plan to walk it, check the signs and trail conditions on site. RosenbĂĽhl, with its summit logbook, and PechhĂĽtte are also listed by the municipality as places of interest that invite visitors to hike. Horse riding holidays and designated bridleways are also mentioned as options for an active holiday. If riding is part of your plans, check current availability in advance.
Events and the History of the Districts
The Tanna New Year’s Eve Run was held annually from 1971. The routes ranged from 1 to 10 kilometres, and runners came from all over Germany. If you’re planning a trip around New Year’s Eve, check the programme for the relevant year, as individual events may vary.
In the district of Stelzen, within the municipality of Tanna, a tree stump set in cement now marks the former site of the Stelzen tree, which broke off during a severe storm in 1897. In Rothenacker, the “Learned Farmer” Museum is listed as a visitor attraction in the town of Tanna. If you’re planning to visit it, check the latest visitor information in advance.
Saale-Orla as a Broader Travel Theme
In the broader Saale-Orla travel region, the Saale River and the Saale Cascade—with a length of around 80 kilometres and five dams—form Europe’s largest contiguous reservoir area, known as the Thuringian Sea. Bleiloch Reservoir is Germany’s largest reservoir. This gives the landscape a character of its own alongside Tanna’s local history.
Museum Schloß Burgk is also part of the cultural offering in Saale-Orla. It houses historic living and exhibition rooms with valuable interiors, as well as collections and exhibitions. Its bookplate collection comprises more than 200,000 sheets and is the museum’s largest specialist collection.
Discover more destinations: Altengesees, Saaldorf, Saalburg-Ebersdorf, Lausnitz Bei Neustadt An Der Orla, Stanau, Neustadt An Der Orla, Langenorla, Triptis
Back to the regional travel overview: Saale-Orla.
